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Sperm donor fights Kansas request to pay child support

Kansas is trying to force a sperm donor to pay child support for the child conceived through artificial insemination for a lesbian couple now having trouble supporting it.

Jeff Davis/The Topeka Capital Journal/AP

Sperm donor William Marotta is being asked by the state of Kansas to pay child support after providing sperm to a same-sex couple, speaks about his ordeal at his attorney's office in Topeka, Kan. Dec. 31, 2012.

William Marotta told The Topeka Capital-Journal newspaper he's "a little scared about where this is going to go, primarily for financial reasons."

When the 46-year-old donated sperm to Angela Bauer and Jennifer Schreiner in 2009, Mr. Marotta relinquished all parental rights, including financial responsibility to the child. When Ms. Bauer and Ms. Schreiner filed for state assistance in Kansas this year, the state demanded the donor's name so it could collect child support for the now 3-year-old girl.

The state contends the agreement between Marotta and the women is not valid because Kansas law requires a licensed physician to perform artificial insemination.

"If a sperm donor makes his contribution through a licensed physician and a child is conceived, the donor is held harmless under state statue. In cases where the parties do not go through a physician or a clinic, there remains the question of who actually is the father of a child or children," Angela de Rocha, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department for Children and Families, said in a statement.

A hearing on a motion by Marotta's attorneys to dismiss the case is scheduled for Jan. 8

Bauer and Schreiner have said they fully support Marotta's efforts to fight the state's request. When Bauer was diagnosed in March with what she calls "a significant illness" that prevents her from working, Schreiner sought health insurance for their daughter from the state. The DCF told Schreiner if she didn't provide the sperm donor's name, it would deny any health benefits because she was withholding information.

Marotta said Monday he doesn't resent Schreiner for giving the state his name.